US names Pakistan, Saudi Arabia among buyers in new American air-to-air missile deal

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 fighter jet performs during the Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 23, 2022. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 07 October 2025
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US names Pakistan, Saudi Arabia among buyers in new American air-to-air missile deal

  • Department of War lists both nations in $41.7 million Raytheon contract for fighter-jet missiles
  • Separate $24 million award covers communications upgrades on Saudi F-15 aircraft

ISLAMABAD: The US Department of War has named Pakistan and Saudi Arabia among countries included in a new contract for the supply of US-made air-to-air missiles, while separately approving a deal to improve communications systems on Saudi fighter jets, according to an official statement released on its website.

In its Sept. 30 bulletin, the Department of War said it had awarded Raytheon Missiles & Defense a $41.68 million modification “to provide production support for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile,” a weapon designed to enable fighter aircraft to destroy enemy planes at long range.

The same announcement listed a wide range of US allies and partners receiving the system through the Foreign Military Sales program.

“This contract involves foreign military sales to United Kingdom, Poland, Pakistan, Germany, Finland, Australia, Romania, Qatar, Oman, Korea, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Japan, Slovakia, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Norway, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Sweden, Taiwan, Lithuania, Israel, Bulgaria, Hungary and Turkiye,” the Department of War statement read.

The release did not specify how many missiles each country would receive or when deliveries would begin, details that are typically disclosed later through government-to-government filings.

The contract funds ongoing production of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), which is used by more than 40 countries. Pakistan employs the system on its F-16 fighter jets, while Saudi Arabia operates it on F-15 aircraft.

Pakistan’s defense ministry had not issued any public comment on the latest contract listings as of Tuesday.

In a separate notice, the Department of War announced a $24.17 million contract for technical support to upgrade Link-16, a secure tactical data network that enables Saudi F-15 pilots and command centers to share real-time information on targets and threats. The work will be carried out in Saudi Arabia and continue through March 2031, the department said.

Both awards reflect Washington’s continuing defense cooperation with partners in the Middle East and South Asia. While Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are regularly listed in such multi-nation programs, the Department of War rarely releases individual country breakdowns in initial contract statements.

The Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile has been a cornerstone of US and allied air defense for over three decades, capable of striking airborne targets at ranges exceeding 30 kilometers depending on the variant. 


Pakistan, Iran leaders highlight mutual support after both engaged in short wars this year

Updated 59 min 49 sec ago
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Pakistan, Iran leaders highlight mutual support after both engaged in short wars this year

  • Prime Minister Sharif met Iranian President Pezeshkian in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international forum
  • Pakistani PM also had an informal interaction with President Putin, discussed regional issue with President Erdogan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday praised the support their countries offered one another during episodes of external aggression this year, according to the state media, as they met on the sidelines of an international peace forum in Turkmenistan.

Pakistan fought a four-day war with India in May, when New Delhi fired missiles at its cities and Islamabad responded with retaliatory strikes. Nearly a month after the conflict, Iran waged its own war with Israel after Tel Aviv carried out attacks inside Iranian territory, prompting Tehran to launch a series of missile and drone barrages in response.

The meeting in Turkmenistan came as Pakistan and Iran seek to steady ties after a period of strained security relations, while also attempting to expand economic cooperation and strengthen border management. The two leaders reviewed regional developments, including Pakistan’s concerns over militant attacks it says originate from Afghanistan, and ongoing diplomatic efforts related to Gaza.

“Both leaders appreciated the strong support that their countries had provided to each other when they had faced external aggression earlier this year,” the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.

Sharif highlighted the outcome of the 22nd Pakistan–Iran Joint Economic Commission held this year and urged closer coordination to increase bilateral trade, operationalize border markets, reinforce border security and revive transport links, including the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail network.

Pezeshkian, according to the report, said Iran wished to further strengthen ties and thanked Sharif for a “useful and timely exchange of views.”

Sharif also pressed for “meaningful action” from the Afghan Taliban administration to address Pakistan’s security concerns, APP added.

Separately, the Pakistani prime minister met other global leaders attending the forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025 and Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Day.

He held informal interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed regional issues with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.